Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu Dog has a highly valued Chinese ancestry as a prized companion and palace pet.
Size: Although there has always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must be compact, solid, carrying good weight and substance. The official standard size is 9 to 16 pounds.
Coat: Luxurious long flowing double-coat with a slight wave permissible. All colors and markings are permissible and to be considered equally.
Care: If the hair is kept at show length; they will need daily brushing to avoid tangles; or you may give them a short haircut, also known as a puppy cut to reduce the amount of grooming care needed. They have two coats of fur, and the bottom coat sheds into the top coat meaning that only a little fur will come off. As they shed so lightly, they are great for people with allergies, meaning they are hypo-allergenic. Additionally, their claws will need to be clipped approximately every month.
